The Micra K10 first went on sale the UK over the summer of 1983, and it was an instant sales success. In its best year, 1990, it was the eleventh most popular new car in the UK with just under 50,000 sales. It was a popular choice with driving instructors and undemanding motorists thanks to its ease of driving, solid build and durable mechanical components. As of 2007, 15 years after its demise, tens of thousands of Micra K10s are still on British roads, vastly outnumbering many other small cars of its generation, such as the Austin Metro, Fiat Uno, and Renault 5. .
The second incarnation of the Micra was launched in the UK at the end of 1992, with production taking place in Britain at the Sunderland plant rather than in Japan. Like its predecessor, it was a very popular car thanks to its quality, ease of driving and fuel economy. However, it was available with a limited range of engines: 1.0 and 1.3 petrol units. A facelift over the summer of 2000 saw the 1.3 shelved and replaced with a 1.4 unit. This upgrade, after a previous makeover in 1998, enhanced the Micra's appeal and it was still fairly popular on the launch of its successor in December 2002.
Like the previous version of the Micra, the third generation model was made at the Sunderland plant. It had a wider range of engines, including Renault-sourced 1.2 petrol and 1.5 direct-injection diesel powerplants, and offered an improved driving experience. Its chassis would form the basis of the next Renault Clio, launched in 2005 but still built in France. This stylish, all-new Micra helped Nissan bolster its market share of the supermini sector, which had been declining in the final year or two of its predecessor's life. Although it has never featured in the SMMT's official top 10 best-selling cars in the UK, it has been among the best-selling 10 cars in Britain among private buyers for virtually all of its production life.
The March/Micra is known for its reliability, excellent build quality, and user friendliness. The K12 model has received consistently good overall reviews, with the main criticisms being the lack of head room and luggage space in the rear. There are numerous tuning parts available for the car. Engine transplants are not new for the March, as many owners with mechanical skills have installed the SR20DE and more commonly, the GA16DE into their K11s. Turbocharger kits are a popular choice for the K11 and K12s.
In Sweden, the K10 earned a bad reputation for its lack of safety. The insurance company Folksam rated it as the most dangerous of all cars for the years 19881995. However, for the period 19962006, it has rated it only second worst, with the Citron AX being the most unsafe car on Swedish roads. Safety specification has improved with successive models. The Micra's Euro NCAP ratings are two stars for the K11 and four for the K12.
In 2005, the UK motor insurance research expert Thatcham introduced a standard for keyless entry, requiring the device to be inoperable at a distance of more than 10 cm from the vehicle. In an independent test, the Micra was found to be the most secure, while certain BMW and Mercedes models failed, being theoretically capable of allowing cars to be driven away while their owners were refuelling.
The Route - Date with Destiny
We've settled on a central, but southern route. We'd like to see Eastern Europe and trek across countries that we've only dreamed of visiting. No knock on Western Europe, but it's accessible to us in ways that the countries on our desired route, are not, outside of the context of this trip. If you'd like to see our current jaunt, which is estimated at 8,125 miles, click here Best Intentions Route.
There is no way of knowing if we will be attempting this route 100% as planned, when we launch. We will be covered, Visa-wise, in case there are any issues, or contingency things that come up unforseen. We want to do as little "planning" for our eventual path as possible, but the visa requirements kind of require that we do a smidgen of planning in order to successfully navigate international borders.
Eighteen Countries.
On July 18th we'll be getting our beer on, a day before the rally kicks off, from Hyde Park in London, July 19, 2008. Mark that date down people, it's going to be something that as a group, we will never forget. The official launch date will see us jaunt from London, across the channel to France, and up the coast through Belgium and the Netherlands and through the night onto Prague through Germany and into the Czech Republic.
We'll wait overnight, gather our wits (drink) and plan out the second leg of our journey towards Eastern Europe.
Second Leg - Eastern European Stretch
After leaving Prague, we'll jet through to Bratislava in Slovakia, marvel at their amazingly beautiful gir---city head for the border, possible Romania and then to see friends in Budapest, Hungary before our first real challenge the road to the Caspian Sea. Zoltan Hornyak, this means you.
At this point things will be sketchy, challenging, and, yes I'll say it...Awesome. Bulgaria will be our first pass through to the great Eastern Frontier, heading through Sofia possibly, and onto Turkey, through the eastern mountains, being sure to stay clear of the tumultous countries below, and heading towards Armenia.
After reaching Armenia, we'll quickly push onto Georgia and undoubtedly find the local fare and a place to lay our weary heads. Moving on through Azerbijan so that we can catch the legendary Caspian Sea Ferry will be an amazing experience and one we all hope goes off without a hitch.
Third Leg - Danger Ensues. Final Exam!
Here is where things get completely unplannable. We'll do our best to not get killed, married off, sold, or lost never to be heard again. We contemplated taking the northern route and avoiding the "stan" countries, but the beauty, mystery and challenge of a part of the world we (currently) know little about collectively, was too much to pass up, during our planning.
Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan presents our first real time-based challenge where we'll have to be effecient and practical while making our way north towards our final destination. Weather, road conditions, amenities, and petrol are sparse and impossible to plan around. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. After our push through Uzbekistan, we'll push through Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek, and experience Krgyzstan food, culture, and good fortune willing, showers.
The journey into Kazakhstan is one that I (Justin) am looking forward to very much. I am ashamed to say that when we first looked at our journey, and saw Kzahakstan on the list of countries we'd travel through, I was stunned at the size of the country, the huge spanning desert and the distance we'd have to travel. "My Waterloostan." I called it. One we reach the Russian border, our biggest logistics issue, we'll be so close we can taste it. It being the sweet delicious taste of a beer in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, our final destination.